Reinforced stencil assembly with foldable, adhesive covering guardian strip

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a novel stencil assembly employed in duplicating address and other information on cartons, packages, and the like. The assembly includes a stencil tissue or sheet, on one side of which is permanently secured a narrow ridigizing strip adjacent the top edge of the stencil tissue. A strip of pressure sensitive reusable adhesive is applied to the opposite side of the stencil tissue substantially coextensive with the narrow rigidizing strip. A carbon material covers the remainder of the opposite side of the stencil sheet. A narrow guardian strip engages the lower portion of the adhesive strip. A backing sheet removably engages the remaining upper portion of the adhesive strip. A modified structure includes a carbon sheet in lieu of the carbon on the back of the stencil sheet and the guardian strip, said carbon sheet having a perforation line facilitating tearing off of a substantial portion thereof to provide a guardian strip. The guardian strip and the retained carbon sheet segment are foldable over to cover the exposed adhesive strip bared by removal of the backing sheet.

Ilnite'ei States Patent Rabelow REINFORCED STENCIL ASSEMBLY WITH Inventor:

Harold IlsRabelow, Marion, 111. a

17 1 [73] Assignee: Marsh Stencil Machine Company,

Belleville, I11.

[22] Filed: May 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 147,395

[52] US. Cl. l01/l28.1, 101/128.2 [51] Int. Cl B41n 1/24 [58] Field of Search. 101/127, 127.1,128.1, 128.2,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,457,856 7/1969 Rydberg et a1. l01/l27.l X 2,771,026 11/1956 Mooney 101/129 X 1,761,722 6/1930 Gordenstein l0l/l27.l X

2,779,268 l/l957 Brown l0l/l28.2

2,070,181 2/1937 Ryan lOl/l28.2 X

1,247,308 ll/l9l7 Meuser lOl/l28.l

2,976,802 3/1961 Mason lOl/l28.l 3,280,732 10/1966 Mooney et a1 lOl/l28.l

[ 5] Jan. 29, 1974 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerR. E. Suter 1 1 ABSTRACT There is disclosed a novel stencil assembly employed in duplicating address and other information on cartons, packages, and the like. The assembly includes a stencil tissue or sheet, on one side of which is permanently secured a narrow ridigizing strip adjacent the top edge of the stencil tissue. A strip of pressure sensitive reusable adhesive is applied to the opposite side of the stencil tissue substantially coextensive with the narrow rigidizing strip. A carbon material covers the remainder of the opposite side of the stencil sheet. A narrow guardian strip engages the lower portion of the adhesive strip. A backing sheet removably engages the remaining upper portion of the adhesive strip. A modified structure includes a carbon sheet in lieu of the carbon on the back of the stencil sheet and the guardian strip, said carbon sheet having a perforation line facilitating tearing off of a substantial portion thereof to provide a guardian strip. The guardian strip and the retained carbon sheet segment are foldable over to cover the exposed adhesive strip bared by removal of the backing sheet.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures REINFORCED STENCIL ASSEMBLY WITH FOLDABLE, ADHESIVE COVERING GUARDIAN STRIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention The present invention relates generally to the duplicating art, and more particularly to a novel stencil assembly for hand printers for duplicating addresses, and the like, on cartons, and the like, after being cut in addressing a business form, and the like.

2. Description Of The Prior Art The present novel stencil assembly is an improvement over existing stencil assemblies employed for the same purpose. Prior art stencil assemblies are disclosed in the Mooney U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,026, and in the numerous patents cited as references in the prosecution thereof. Also included is the Mooney U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,671, and the references cited in its prosecution. Many other patents have been granted in the same general field. However, there continues to exist in the hand stenciling art the need for a further simplified and effective stencil assembly providing greater economy, ease of employment, and other advantages. The present invention is such improved structure contributing to the advancement of the hand stenciling art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present novel stencil assembly comprises a stencil tissue or sheet across the top front of which is permanently secured a narrow rigidizing strip. A strip of pressure sensitive reusable adhesive is applied to the upper rear edge area of the stencil sheet which may be substantially coextensive with the general area of the narrow rigidizing strip. A character reproducing carbon material covers the remainder of the back of the stencil sheet. A narrow guardian strip engages a portion of the adhesive strip inwardly of the top edge of the stencil sheet. A backing sheet removably engages the upper and remaining portion of the adhesive strip. A modified assembly includes a carbon sheet in lieu of the carbon material on the back of the stencil sheet and the narrow guardian strip, the carbon sheet including a perforation line thereacross facilitating tearing off of a substantial portion thereof to leave a guardian strip portion. The quardian strip of the one embodiment, or the retained carbon sheet segment of the other embodiment is foldable through 180 to protectively cover the exposed adhesive strip bared by removal of the backing sheet to prevent undesirable sticking thereof to cartons, and the like, being stenciled.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a novel stencil assembly which fulfills the continuing existing need as aforesaid of improved units; which comprises a simplified durable assembly effective for duplication of addresses, and the like; which can be readily employed for the intended purposes with minimum instruction of personnel; and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a stencil assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention, the stencil sheet or tissue and the guardian strip being peeled back in part into raised positions for better illustration of the structure, the thickness of each of the several elements being exaggerated to facilitate disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with the backing sheet removed and with the guardian strip folded through into protective position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view similar-to FIG. 2 of a modified stencil assembly;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a corner of the stencil assembly of FIG. 4 showing the carbon sheet folded through 180 into adhesive protecting position;

FIG. 6 is a plan view on a smaller scale of a blank invoice sheet, a stencil assembly less the backing sheet, being removably tabbed thereto for cutting of the stencil and addressing of the invoice; and

FIG. 7 is an end view ofa hand printer or stencil unit with the present stencil assembly, less backing sheet, attached thereto in operative relation.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals with specific attention to FIGS. l-3, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a stencil assembly including the principles of the present invention. The stencil assembly 10 comprises a stencil tissue or sheet 12, having a top edge A, a front side B, and a back side C. The stencil sheet 12 is of a type commonly known in the art whereby information is typed or otherwise imprinted on the front surface B and whereby the stencil may then by used to imprint the information on a selected surface, such as a shipping carton. A narrow strip 14 of paper or other suitable material is secured to the front side B of the stencil sheet 12 for rigidizing the area, the strip 14 having a top edge D substantially even with the edge A of the stencil sheet and substantially the same length. A strip 16 of pressure sensitive reusable adhesive in the form of a liquid adhesive coating, two sided adhesive tape, or the like, is applied to the back side C of the stencil sheet 12 substantially coextensive with the strip 14. A carbon coating 18 covers the remainder of the back side C of said stencil sheet 12 for reproduction purposes. The upper portion of a narrow guardian strip 20 engages the lower portion of the adhesive strip 16 such that the lower portion of the guardian strip 20 extends downwardly past the adhesive srip 16. A removable backing sheet 22 protectively engages the remainder of the adhesive strip 16, and also covers and protects the carbon coating 18 and the guardian strip 20.

In FIG. 3, the stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, is illustrated with the lower portion of the guardian strip 20 turned through 180 into protective engagement with that portion of the adhesive strip 16 previously engaged by the backing sheet 22. The stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, is ready for adherence to the inking pad of a hand printer.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 is illustrated a modified stencil assembly 30 incorporating the principles of the present invention. The stencil assembly 30 comprises a stencil tissue or sheet 32 like the sheet 12 of the first described embodiment, having a top edge A, a front side B, and a back side C. A narrow strip 34, like the strip 14 of the first described embodiment, is secured to the front side B of the stencil sheet 12 for rigidizing the area, the strip 34 having a top edge D substantially even with the edge A of the stencil sheet and substantially the same length. A strip 36, like the strip 16 of the first described embodiment, of pressure-sensitive reusable adhesive in the form of a liquid adhesive coating, two sided adhesive tape, or the like, is applied to the back side C of the stancii sheet 32 substantially coextensive with the strip 34. A portion of a carbon sheet 38 adjacent its upper edge engages the lower portion of the ad hesive strip 36 such that the lower portion of the carbon sheet 38 extends downwardly past the adhesive strip 36 and covers the remainder of the back side C' of the stencil sheet 32 for reproduction purposes. The carbon sheet 38 is perforated along a line 40 running across the sheet and beneath the strip 36 to permit tearing off of the major part thereof when its usefulness is complete. A removable backing sheet 42 protectively engages the remainder of the adhesive strip 36, and also covers and protects the carbon sheet 38.

In FIG. 5, the stencil assembly 30, less the backing sheet 42, is illustrated with the carbon sheet 38 turned through 180 into protective engagement with that portion of the adhesive strip 36 previously engaged by the backing sheet 42. The main body of the carbon sheet 38 extends out to the left and may be easily removed by tearing along the perforation line 40. The stencil assembly 30, less the backing sheet 42 and major portion of the carbon sheet 38 is ready for adherence to the inking pad of a hand printer.

In FIG. 6, the stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, is shown adhered to a blank invoice 44. In the usual manner of using a stencil assembly, the backing sheet 22 is removed to expose that portion of the adhesive strip 16 previously covered thereby. This permits the stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, to be removably attached to the invoice 44, as shown in FIG. 6. The invoice 44 with the stencil assembly attached thereto is placed in a typewriter and simultaneously the desired address, or the like, cut in the stencil tissue 16 and printed on the invoice 44 by means of the carbon 18 on the back of the stencil tissue 12. The same procedure obtains with the stencil assembly 30.

The stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, is removed from the invoice 44. The lower portion of the guardian strip is folded through 180 into the position of FIG. 3 to cover the theretofore exposed portion of the adhesive strip 14. The stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, is then applied to a hand stenciling unit 46, as in FIG. 7, with the stencil tissue 12 maintained in position by the stenciling ink on the inking pad 48 thereof. The folded over guardian strip 20 is entirely out of the way in the stenciling operation. The hand stenciling unit 46 also includes a flexible squeeze bottle handle 50 which is a reservoir of stenciling ink, a table 52, and structure supporting the squeeze bottle handle 50 above the table 52 and the inking pad 48 therebelow in operative manner providing for selective reciprocation of the inking pad 48 with attached stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, from the retracted position of FIG. 7 to stenciling position against a carton, and the like. The hand stenciling unit or hand printer forms no part of the present invention, but is the subject matter of copending application of the present applicant, Ser. No. ll0,385, filed Jan. 28, 1971, now abandoned and Ser. No. 271, 257, filed July 13, 1972. Manifestly, the stencil assembly 10, less the backing sheet 22, may be operatively applied to other hand printers or stenciling units. The same procedure in general applies with the stenciling assembly 30, the carbon sheet 38 being torn off along the perforation line 40 prior to placing the stencil assembly 30 on the stenciling unit 46.

With reference to FIG. 3, the guardian strip 20 is illustrated as folded into a protective position. It will be understood, of course, that the guardian strip may be folded through but with the lower portion thereof disposed at any position between just covering the exposed portion of the adhesive strip 16 to that of FIG. 3. It is only essential that the exposed adhesive be covered. The same relationship exists with the lower portion of the stub of the carbon sheet 38 of the stencil assembly 30.

It is clear from the foregoing that there have been provided novel stencil assemblies which fulfill the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A stencil assembly comprising a stencil sheet having a top edge, adhesive means on one side of said stencil sheet along the top edge thereof having a substantial portion of the stencil sheet extending below said adhesive means, and a guardian means on the same side of the stencil sheet as the adhesive means, said guardian means having one edge attached to said adhesive means such that an upper portion of the adhesive means is exposed, the guardian means having a portion extending below the adhesive means a distance at least sufficient to be foldable into position covering the upper exposed portion of said adhesive means to avoid sticking of said adhesive means in use.

2. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the lower extension of said guardian means is substantially less than the extension of the stencil sheet below the adhesive means.

3. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive means is a two-sided strip of pressure-sensitive reusable adhesive, and the stencil sheet and guardian means are on opposite sides of the adhesive means.

4. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the stencil sheet has a front surface on which the stencil is cut and a back surface the adhesive means and guardian means being both on the back side of the stencil sheet.

5. The stencil assembly of claim 4 wherein a portion of the back side of said stencil sheet is covered with a carbon material.

6. The stencil assembly of claim 5 wherein said carbon covering is a carbon coating.

7. The stencil assembly of claim 5 further comprising a backing sheet removable secured by the remaining exposed portion of said adhesive strip and covering the guardian means and back side of the stencil sheet.

8. The stencil assembly of claim 7 further comprising a narrow strip secured on the front side of and along the top edge of said stencil sheet for adding rigidity to said top edge.

9. The stencil assembly of claim 5 wherein said carbon covering is a carbon sheet having a top edge attached to said adhesive strip.

10. The stencil assembly of claim 9 wherein said car- 11. The stencil assembly of claim 10 further comprisbon sheet is perforated along a line parallel to and ing a backing sheet removably secured by the remainspaced from said adhesive strip, said perforations exing exposed portion of said adhesive strip and covering tending all the way across the carbon sheet and dividing the guardian means and the carbon sheet. the carbon sheet into an upper portion above the perfo- 5 12. The stencil asembly of claim 11 further comprisrated line and a lower portion below the perforated ing a narrow strip secured on the front side of and along line, the upper portion being attached to said adhesive the top edge of said stencil sheet for adding rigidity to strip and defining the guardian means with said lower said top edge.

portion removed. 

1. A stencil assembly comprising a stencil sheet having a top edge, adhesive means on one side of said stencil sheet along the top edge thereof having a substantial portion of the stencil sheet extending below said adhesive means, and a guardian means on the same side of the stencil sheet as the adhesive means, said guardian means having one edge attached to said adhesive means such that an upper portion of the adhesive means is exposed, the guardian means having a portion extending below the adhesive means a distance at least sufficient to be foldable into position covering the upper exposed portion of said adhesive means to avoid sticking of said adhesive means in use.
 2. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the lower extension of said guardian means is substantially less than the extension of the stencil sheet below the adhesive means.
 3. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive means is a two-sided strip of pressure-sensitive reusable adhesive, and the stencil sheet and guardian means are on opposite sides of the adhesive means.
 4. The stencil assembly of claim 1 wherein the stencil sheet has a front surface on which the stencil is cut and a back surface the adhesive means and guardian means being both on the back side of the stencil sheet.
 5. The stencil assembly of claim 4 wherein a portion of the back side of said stencil sheet is covered with a carbon material.
 6. The stencil assembly of claim 5 wherein said carbon covering is a carbon coating.
 7. The stencil assembly of claim 5 further comprising a backing sheet removable secured by the remaining exposed portion of said adhesive strip and covering the guardian means and back side of the stencil sheet.
 8. The stencil assembly of claim 7 further comprising a narrow strip secured on the front side of and along the top edge of said stencil sheet for adding rigidity to said top edge.
 9. The stencil assembly of claim 5 wherein said carbon covering is a carbon sheet having a top edge attached to said adhesive strip.
 10. The stencil assembly of claim 9 wherein said carbon sheet is perforated along a line parallel to and spaced from said adhesive strip, said perforations extending all the way across the carbon sheet and dividing the carbon sheet into an upper portion above the perforated line and a lower portion below the perforated line, the upper portion being attacheD to said adhesive strip and defining the guardian means with said lower portion removed.
 11. The stencil assembly of claim 10 further comprising a backing sheet removably secured by the remaining exposed portion of said adhesive strip and covering the guardian means and the carbon sheet.
 12. The stencil asembly of claim 11 further comprising a narrow strip secured on the front side of and along the top edge of said stencil sheet for adding rigidity to said top edge. 